Community Awards Spotlight: Katie Stewart '87 & William Stewart, General (Ret.) Thomas A. Schwartz '63

March 25, 2025

The annual Cretin-Derham Hall Community Awards celebrate several alumni and friends from Cretin, Derham Hall, and Cretin-Derham Hall, honoring their significant achievements and contributions.

Each month, we will spotlight one or two of these award recipients. The full list of 2024 Community Award winners can be found on our website. Please consider nominating members of our community for a 2025 Community Award. To learn more about the criteria for each award and the previous recipients, please visit our Awards page. 

Katie Stewart '87 & William Stewart  (click for video)

Both Katie and Will believe in the importance of the Cretin-Derham Hall community and honoring its past and present.  With that as a foundation, the Stewarts have treasured the CDH traditions that have evolved over the years, but embrace the opportunity to build on old traditions and create new ones.  This creates a community that remains committed to one another during high school years and beyond. 

Two of three Stewart children graduated from Cretin-Derham Hall. Katie also served on the CDH Board and the 2020-2025 Strategic Planning Committee. The friendships and connections to CDH’s mission from these experiences have inspired Katie and Will to give back and help assure Cretin-Derham Hall’s sustainability into the future.

Monsignor Ambrose Hayden Legacy Award

Katie and William received the Monsignor Ambrose Hayden Legacy Award in 2024. This award recognizes individuals whose spirit and energy reflect an understanding of the need to preserve the past and provide for future generations.  Recipients exemplify the charisms of the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet. 

General (Ret.) Thomas A. Schwartz '63 (click for video)

Tom Schwartz is a retired United States Army four-star general who commanded the United States Army Forces Command from 1998 to 1999 and United States Forces Korea from 1999 to 2002. Since retirement from the service, Tom served on various boards, councils and advisory positions. He was named a Distinguished Graduate from West Point in 2009.

Tom attended the United States Military Academy and was commissioned in the infantry following graduation in 1967. He served as a platoon leader and company commander with the 2nd Battalion, 505th Infantry in Vietnam from August 1968 to October 1969, earning both a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. In addition to Forces Command and United States Forces Korea, Schwartz also commanded III Corps and the 4th Infantry Division from October 1993 to November 1995.

Tom earned master's degrees from Duke University and the Naval War College. He is also a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger School, the Armor Officer Advanced Course, and the Armed Forces Staff College.

Bishop Joseph Cretin Award

General (Ret.) Thomas A. Schwartz received the Bishop Joseph Cretin Award in 2024. This award is presented annually to a distinguished Cretin alum in recognition of his outstanding service to the community and to Cretin-Derham Hall, and for his achievements in his profession exemplifying the highest and best traditions of Cretin High School. This award is presented in memory of the school's founder Bishop Joseph Cretin, the first Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.